JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 45 



ltr^ N0tp0. 



Notes and observations upon bird life within our State are earnestly desired from all our readers 

 for publication in this column, and should be sent to the Associate Editor, Frank T. Noble, Augusta, 

 Maine. 



We note with much .satisfaction the increasing frequency with 

 which the members of our .society report to this Journal their ornith- 

 ological observations. This is an important part of our duties, 

 one to another, and should be shared in by all , interested in bird 

 life. The Journal's columns are always open to contributors of 

 items of general interest relating to Maine birds, and we trust our 

 members will, through this medium, disseminate such knowledge as 

 thej^ personally possess. 



An Albino Chipping Sparrow. — On the 19th of June, 1903, 

 at Westbrook, Maine, I noticed a strongly albinistic Chipping Spar- 

 row {Spizella social is). The head, neck, back and breast, were 

 white unmarked, wings and tail normal. I observed the bird at a 

 distance of a few yards, and it could by its pattern, have easily been 

 passed by as a dull male Goldfinch, by a careless or absent-minded 

 observer. As I examined it, it became clear that it was a female, as 

 a male of normal appearance mated with it, and both flew to an 

 adjoining orchard. The following day I saw it twice, in the morn- 

 ing and in the afternoon. During the next ten days I did not see it, 

 though I passed the place four times nearly every day. From June 

 30th until August 9th, I was not in Westbrook, and heard nothing 

 about the bird. On August i6th, I saw it again when it was moult- 

 ing and in a very ragged condition, but its white areas were still 

 innnaculate. On August 20th, I saw it for the last time, when its 

 appearance was not much changed, though it was farther from its 

 usual haunt than before noted. These observations were made on a 

 jniblic street, in a space about two hundred yards long, though the 

 l)ird always flew in the same general direction, (toward an orchard 

 north of the street), whenever started. It was usually accompanied 

 by its mate. I always chanced upon it, never seeking it, and while 



